Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operati ....Realistic models of permeation in ion channels. Ion channels are formed by proteins in cell membranes and provide pathways for fast and controlled flow of selected ions. This activity generates action potentials in nerves and muscles that forms the basis of all movement, sensation and thought processes. Recent determination of the crystal structure of channel proteins has enabled construction of models that can relate channel function to its structure--necessary for understanding their operation and seeking cures for diseases caused by their malfunction. This project aims to develop accurate ion-protein-water interactions for permeation models based on stochastic and molecular dynamics simulations using both classical and quantum mechanical methods.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membra ....ARC Centre of Excellence - Coherent X-ray Science. The twenty first century is said to be the century of biology. And there is no doubt that the development of our understanding of biological system is continuing at a massive rate. However as our understanding deepens, we need to draw on the whole range of scientific disciplines to proceed. This Centre draws together a multidisciplinary team of world-leading scientists to address one the key questions in modern biology, the structure of a membrane protein. We will develop techniques based on the latest developments in theoretical physics & chemistry, imaging, biology and technology - including the new Australian Synchrotron - to create new approaches to structural biology.Read moreRead less
Who were the ancestors of Homo floresiensis? The discovery of a tiny, new hominid species living in Indonesia until just 12,000 years ago, at the same time as modern humans in the region, has sparked world-wide public interest and debate. Finding the ancestors of this species will further promote Australian research as high profile, high calibre and cutting edge. Collaboration with researchers and institutions in Indonesia, USA, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Georgia will stre ....Who were the ancestors of Homo floresiensis? The discovery of a tiny, new hominid species living in Indonesia until just 12,000 years ago, at the same time as modern humans in the region, has sparked world-wide public interest and debate. Finding the ancestors of this species will further promote Australian research as high profile, high calibre and cutting edge. Collaboration with researchers and institutions in Indonesia, USA, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and the Republic of Georgia will strengthen our links with these nations.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989915
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$127,000.00
Summary
X-ray Nano-scale Coherence Facility. Australia is rapidly developing into a world leader for x-ray imaging. This position has been supported by leading research groups and more recently by the development of the Australian Synchrotron. This project will fill a vital missing link in the experimental capability of Australian researchers - a flexible facility that can provide a nanoscale x-ray source. This enhanced capability will lead to new developments in coherent imaging methods. These new meth ....X-ray Nano-scale Coherence Facility. Australia is rapidly developing into a world leader for x-ray imaging. This position has been supported by leading research groups and more recently by the development of the Australian Synchrotron. This project will fill a vital missing link in the experimental capability of Australian researchers - a flexible facility that can provide a nanoscale x-ray source. This enhanced capability will lead to new developments in coherent imaging methods. These new methods will be used in the study of biological systems, leading to better drug design as well as in the study of materials, leading to stronger and lighter components. Read moreRead less
Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to ....Polymer Globules: Beyond the Homopolymer Model. Polymers are long chainlike molecules which play a crucial role in many aspects of our lives. As plastics they represent the most versatile and ubiquitous of man-made materials. Moreover, all living things depend on polymers for the structure of their cells and for the inheritance and function through DNA and proteins. Despite their importance our understanding of polymers is rather limited. The research funded by this proposal will enable us to understand more complicated kinds of polymers. This will help uncover some fascinating physics and in the long term develop new materials and promote new advances in biology. Read moreRead less
Correlation between surface force and morphology of self-assembled monolayer. As a most potential solid support for biological molecules without denaturing their functions, gold thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been studied extensively for surface fabrication. In this project we will prepare functional monolayers using newly synthesized thiol derivatives, evaluate correlation between surface force and surface morphology of the SAMs using the surface forces apparatus, and optimize the ....Correlation between surface force and morphology of self-assembled monolayer. As a most potential solid support for biological molecules without denaturing their functions, gold thiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) have been studied extensively for surface fabrication. In this project we will prepare functional monolayers using newly synthesized thiol derivatives, evaluate correlation between surface force and surface morphology of the SAMs using the surface forces apparatus, and optimize the condition to fabricate biological devices such as immune sensors.Read moreRead less
Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to ....Macromolecular Condensates: From Globules to Toroids and Beyond. Polymers are long-chain molecules which are vital for all living things. Examples include proteins and DNA which carries all of the information needed for life. In the cell and in the laboratory these polymers are often found in a compact folded state. Current polymer science is good at describing very flexible polymers, but fails to describe most biological polymers which have backbones that are difficult to bend. Our aim is to describe the folded or globular state for many kinds of biological polymers and thus improve our understanding of the role of polymers in living things.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Force Microscopy of small molecular assemblies. The possibility of manipulating a single molecule seems at first unreal, indeed 5 years ago it was pure science fiction. Through the gaining popularity of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) many perspectives about the molecular world are changing. Macroscopic effects such as adhesion and lubrication are now discussed in light of measurements made with this instrument. Newer work includes the observation of single protein unfolding experim ....Dynamic Force Microscopy of small molecular assemblies. The possibility of manipulating a single molecule seems at first unreal, indeed 5 years ago it was pure science fiction. Through the gaining popularity of the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) many perspectives about the molecular world are changing. Macroscopic effects such as adhesion and lubrication are now discussed in light of measurements made with this instrument. Newer work includes the observation of single protein unfolding experiments. The biophysics oriented project detailed in this application will extend the AFM: into multi-molecular systems formed by self-assembly, such as cell membranes; into polyelectrolyte-surface interactions; and, finally into the sequencing of DNA.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0231228
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural ....Victorian Environmental Scanning Electron Microscopy Facility. The aim of this proposal is to establish a state-of-the-art Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) facility in the Melbourne region. ESEMs have considerable advantages over conventional instruments in that they allow imaging and analysis to be performed in gaseous or high pressure environments. This enables electron microscopy to be used for the detailed analysis of insulating, wet or out-gassing specimens in their natural state as well as the investigation, in real time, of dynamical processes such as crystallisation and corrosion. The new facility will support a wide range of multi-disciplinary research programs from four Universities and three CSIRO divisions.Read moreRead less
Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production ....Disorder as a novel determinant of photosynthetic structure and function: an experimental study. Australia enjoys a world reputation in photosynthesis research, typified by hosting the 2001 International Photosynthesis Congress. It also has a claim to fame for theoretical work in non-equilibrium thermodynamics concerning production of disorder or entropy, yielding new insights into planetary climates. This experimental project investigates the novel relation between entropy/entropy production and the structure/function of the solar powerhouse of plants (chloroplasts), and addresses fundamental questions at the interface of biology and physics. The research explores chloroplasts as a manifestation of the all-pervading Second Law of Thermodynamics, advancing Australia's contribution to basic science and helping to train researchers.Read moreRead less